The Patriots are gearing up for a crucial “Sunday Night Football” matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, which could significantly impact New England’s playoff hopes.

New England is currently the No. 2 seed in the AFC with an 11-3 record, trailing the Broncos, who hold the No. 1 seed at 12-2. If the season were to end today, Denver would secure a first-round bye and enjoy home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

However, CBS Sports writer Garrett Podell believes the Broncos will lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars this Sunday, which could have significant playoff seeding implications if the Patriots beat the Ravens....

It’s never too early to start thinking about players the Patriots could add to boost the roster next season.

NBC Sports Boston’s Patriots insider Phil Perry identified some upcoming free agents who could be solid additions for New England, naming Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku as an option.

The Browns selected Njoku in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, and he has played a significant role in their offense over the past nine seasons.

Cleveland’s rookie tight end, Harold Fannin Jr. is having a promising season, which may lead the Browns to reconsider extending Njoku.

If the...

The Buffalo Bills have reportedly signed former New England Patriots pass rusher Matthew Judon to their practice squad.

The Miami Dolphins released Judon on Wednesday, and he cleared waivers on Thursday. Just a day after clearing waivers, Judon reportedly visited the Bills and now has a deal in place.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reported on Friday that the Bills are set to sign Judon to their practice roster for the playoff push.

“The Bills hosted veteran edge Matthew Judon today, and they intend to sign him to their practice squad, per The Insiders,” Rapoport wrote. “Potential help for the playoff...

The New England Patriots are not in top shape heading into their upcoming game against the Baltimore Ravens. They already ruled out linebacker Robert Spillane for the contest, and furthermore have four other starting defenders listed as questionable on the injury report.

At least two of those four, however, are planning to make the trip to Baltimore. Cornerbacks Marcus Jones and Carlton Davis both told reporters in the Gillette Stadium locker room on Friday that they will take the field in Week 16.

“I’ll be out there playing,” said Jones following his return to practice.

“I want to be out...

The Baltimore Ravens have a notable injury situation to monitor before Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots.

Baltimore added Kyle Hamilton to Friday’s injury report, listing the All-Pro safety as questionable with an ankle injury. He was a limited participant on Friday after fully practicing all week.

Hamilton has anchored Baltimore’s defense ever since joining the team as the No. 14 pick in 2022. The former Notre Dame star has 87 tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack this season, playing 98 percent of the defense’s snaps when active.

Hamilton missed one game earlier this year because of a...

The Browns could be looking for a new head coach this offseason, and Cleveland could turn to a familiar face.

NFL insider Josina Anderson reported on Thursday that the Browns have people inside the building who are fans of Bill Belichick.

While there may be some Belichick supporters within the Browns organization, ESPN Cleveland reporter Tony Grossi does not wish to see Belichick return to Cleveland.

“I think it’s ridiculous even to consider him,” Grossi said about Belichick coaching the Browns on Friday during “The Really Big Show”.

Belichick served as the Browns’ head coach from 1991 to 1995, finishing...

The New England Patriots’ defense could limp into a significant Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens.

Mike Vrabel delivered some concerning injury updates on Friday. The head coach confirmed that linebacker Robert Spillane will miss Sunday night’s game with a left ankle injury.

Some other key defenders could join Spillane on the sideline. Vrabel announced that Harold Landry III, Marcus Jones, Carlton Davis III and Christian Barmore are all questionable.

Although he was active, Spillane didn’t play during Sunday’s costly 35-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. New England allowed 349 total yards and 28 second-half points without its leading...

Stefon Diggs put the league on notice in October when he recorded 10 catches for 146 yards against his former team in the New England Patriots’ 23-20 road win over the Buffalo Bills.

Last Sunday was a different story.

In a game that saw 66 total points scored, the Patriots’ highest-paid pass catcher only made three receptions. He totaled just 26 yards as New England’s passing attack looked disjointed.

Diggs played just 26 snaps in the loss, a new season low. It is the only time he has recorded fewer than 30 snaps played since Week 1.

His low usage...

The New England Patriots will be down one defensive captain against the Baltimore Ravens.

Leading tackler Robert Spillane has been ruled out for Sunday’s game at M&T Bank Stadium, head coach Mike Vrabel announced during his final press conference of the week.

Defensive tackle Christian Barmore, outside linebacker Harold Landry III and cornerbacks Carlton Davis III and Marcus Jones all move forward as questionable for the road trip.

Here’s the early game statuses ahead of the 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff.

OUT

Patriots

• LB Robert Spillane (ankle)

Ravens

• TBA

Spillane remained a non-participant for three consecutive...

Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce is at a crossroads as the end of the season approaches, facing a tough decision about his NFL future. Now 36 years old, he will enter free agency once the season concludes.

There is a chance Kelce will return to Kansas City, but former New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski believes Kelce will retire.

“My gut tells me about Travis Kelce is that he will not be back next year, ” Gronkowski said Thursday on “Up & Adams”.

Kelce is currently enjoying his 13th season in the NFL, where he has established...

Jakobi Meyers will stay in Florida for the foreseeable future.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced that they signed Meyers to a three-year extension on Friday morning. They shared photos of their new wide receiver putting pen to paper on the contract.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the deal is worth $60 million with $40 million guaranteed. The extension takes Meyers through the 2028 season.

Meyers led the New England Patriots in receiving yards during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns before joining the Las Vegas Raiders. The undrafted free agent tallied a career-high 10 touchdowns in 2023 and 1,027 receiving yards in...

The Baltimore Ravens defense won’t face an easy task when combating Drake Maye and the New England Patriots on “Sunday Night Football.”

Kyle Hamilton praised Maye to reporters Thursday ahead of the Week 16 matchup. Baltimore’s All-Pro safety is particularly impressed by the quarterback’s athleticism.

“I think he’s super mobile,” Hamilton said of Maye. “Big arm, big guy. I met Drake a couple of times, so he’s a good dude. But just as a player, he presents a lot of problems for a defense.”

Hamilton couldn’t recall the last time the Ravens faced a quarterback who matched Maye’s mobility. The...